Tam High Science
Courses
2012-2013
Honors Integrated Science 3-4
• Requires higher level thinking and problem solving
skills
• Covers more detailed information at a faster pace
• Be prepared to complete daily assignments as well as
long term projects
• FLIP method of instruction
Honors Integrated Science 3-4
requirements
B or higher in Integrated Science 1-2
• Teacher recommendation
• Passing score on entrance exam
Informational Meetings:
• Jan 17th & 18th at lunch in room 311
Entrance Exam Dates:
• Jan 23rd & Jan 25th after school in room 311
Chemistry
• What makes up the world around us?
• “central science” – strong connections to all
other sciences
• experience fire and color
• action labs and demos
• Harry Potter’s floo powder….
Chemistry
• strongly recommended if
you are thinking about a
college major in science,
engineering or medicine
• one of the courses
approved for concurrent
enrollment with Integrated
Science 3-4
• requires basic algebra
• some HW every night
Chemistry
• fulfills
pre/corequisite for
AP Environmental
Science
• fulfills
pre/corequisite for
AP Biology
• recommended
prerequisite for
Physics
Requirements
Chemistry
Honors Chemistry
 C- or better in Integrated
Science
 A- or better in Integrated
Science (B- if Honors)
 C- or better in Algebra 1
and 2 (or equivalent)
 A- or better in last math
class (B- if Honors)
 Advanced Algebra
recommended concurrently (or before)
 Entrance test
 Teacher recommendation
 Advanced Algebra
recommended concurrently (or before)
Honors Chemistry Important Dates
and Times
 Informational Meeting:
Lunch, Room 66
Thursday, January 19 or
Friday, January 20
 Entrance Test:
Room 66
Monday, January 23
before or after school
AP Chemistry
• second year Chemistry
course
• rigorous college-level
material
- equivalent to a first-year
college chemistry class
• advanced, quantitative
labs
• strong emphasis on
problem-solving
AP Chemistry
Requirements:
 B- or better in Chemistry/ Honors Chemistry
 B- or better in Advanced Algebra/Honors Advanced Algebra
 Chemistry teacher recommendation
 Information meeting: Room 66, Thursday, January 26 or Friday, January 27
or see Dr. Hart
PHYSIOLOGY 1-2
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What is this class all about?
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Anatomy = the study of the structures of the
human body
Physiology = the study of how these structures
function
So, we will learn how the body is built and how
it works
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Also…
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Things that may go wrong (diseases, etc) &
associated cures
possible career paths
current advances, issues, etc.
Course Outline

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Body Organization &
Homeostasis
The Skeletal & Muscular
Systems
The Endocrine System
The Nervous System and
Senses
Your Blood and Lymphatic
System
Respiratory and Circulatory
Systems
Digestion and Excretion
Culminating Experience:
The Fetal Pig
Prerequisites and Credits
• Successful completion of Integrated
Science 1-4 with at least a C
• UC/CSU "d" laboratory science credit
• one of the courses approved for concurrent
enrollment with Integrated Science 3-4
Honors Physiology
Course Overview:

Honors Physiology includes the same fascinating information
you learn in regular Physio, but in greater depth and with
more enrichment (refer to course guide for more info)
Prerequisites:
“A-“ or above in IS 1- 2 or 3– 4 (or B- in Honors 3-4)
 Attendance at a mandatory informational meeting at lunch
 An entrance exam during tutorial
 Teacher recommendation form completed by your current
science teacher
Meetings
- Wed January 18th or Fri January 20th during lunch in room 64
Entrance Exams
- Wed January 25th or Fri January 27th during tutotial
- GET A PASS BEFORE TUTORIAL!

Environmental Science
• Study topics like:
– Sustainability
– Pollution and possible solutions
– How do we deal with waste as a society?
– Organic gardening and its impact
Environmental Science
• Learn outside the classroom
– Work in Tam’s organic garden
– Study how the plants and animals in a natural
environment interact
– Habitat restoration trips
– Field trips
CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT?
PROVE IT AND TAKE ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE!!!
PHYSICS
What is physics? Physics is a UC/CSU approved lab science class that is the foundation of all sciences. It is
an exciting and challenging class that seeks to understand the nature of … nature. Exciting demonstrations,
weekly labs, and relevant projects all combine to provide a powerful understanding of the material.
What topics are covered? Topics explored include: motion, Newton’s laws, gravity, satellites, momentum,
energy, sound, light, electricity, nuclear radiation, and the latest ideas in cosmology.
Who takes physics? Over half the students who go to Tamalpais High School take physics. Some take it
because it has a reputation for being interesting, fun, and relevant. Others take it because they are considering
a career in science, engineering, or medicine. Everyone knows that it is an upper-level science course that
looks great on your transcript.
What are the prerequisites? Completion of Integrated Science 1 - 4 is required, as well as completion of
Intermediate Algebra or higher.
“All knowledge begins in wonder.”
– Aristotle
“I have no special talents. I am
only passionately curious.”
– Albert Einstein
HONORS PHYSICS
How is honors physics different from from physics? Honors physics covers all the topics
covered in physics, but does so at a deeper and more rigorous level. It has a faster pace. Additional
topics are covered as well. It is assumed that the student has mastered both algebra and
trigonometry. Most students will be enrolled in calculus (although this is not required).
What are the prerequisites? Completion of Integrated Science 1 - 4 is required, as well as
passing score on a math readiness exam.
What is the advantage of taking honors physics? A transcript showing that you have taken
honors physics indicates that you are highly competent in math and physical science. Completion of
honors physics will also give you a solid foundation for college-level, engineering physics.
“All knowledge begins in wonder.”
– Aristotle
“I have no special talents. I am
only passionately curious.”
– Albert Einstein
Honors physics meeting times
and test dates
Meetings
- Jan 17th & 19th during lunch in Mr. Lapp’s
room (Palmer 65)
Honors Entrance Test
- Jan 23rd before and after school in Palmer 65
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
BIOLOGY
NEW, revised curriculum from
the College Board, four “big
ideas”
 Less is more: fewer topics, more
depth, more labs
 Prereq: B- or better in IS and Bor better in either Physiology or
Chemistry (Physio or Chem may
be taken concurrently)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT
BIOLOGY
HW Load – 20-30 min a night
 In Class:
 Short daily quizzes on the
homework
 Packets on corresponding
chapters
 Fun labs!
 Sing-a-longs!!!
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ADVANCED PLACEMENT
BIOLOGY

Best Parts of AP Bio
 Freedom
 Responsibility
 Independence
 Treated like a college student
 Our teacher
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
BIOLOGY
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Learn Skills like:
 Time management
 Study Groups
 Study for large tests
 Preparing for an AP test
AP Biology informational meetings at lunch in Keyser
310 on Tuesday January 22nd and Friday January 25th
Email Ms Wuerth at mwuerth@tamdistrict.org with
any questions.
AP Environmental Science
What is APES about?
 understand the
interrelationships of the
natural world
 identify and analyze
environmental problems
 examine solutions for
resolving and/or preventing
environmental problems
What topics do we
study?
 human populations
and sustainability
 climate change and
atmospheric issues
 water and toxicity
 ecology and evolution
 sustaining biodiversity
 energy resources
AP Environmental Science
Prerequisites?
 Successful completion of IS 14 with a 2.75 or higher
 Completion or concurrent
enrollment in Chemistry
 Successful completion of
Advanced Algebra is strongly
recommended
How can I get more
information?
Information meetings in
Palmer 63, Jan 24th and
25th during lunch
Email Mr. Ginsburg at
jginsburg@tamdistrict.org
Lab Tech
• Make solutions
• Set up labs
• Be a guinea pig for
new labs!
• Enhance your
transcript
• Earn a grade
Information Meetings for Honors
LUNCHTIME (beginning of lunch)
Tuesday, January 17:
– Honors Integrated Science 3/4 (Room 311)
– Honors Physics (Room 65)
Wednesday, January 18:
– Honors Integrated Science (Room 311)
– Honors Physiology (Room 64)
Information Meetings for Honors
LUNCHTIME (beginning of lunch)
Thursday, January 19:
– Honors Chemistry (Room 66)
– Honors Physics (Room 65)
Friday, January 20:
– Honors Physiology (Room 64)
– Honors Chemistry (Room 66)
Information Meetings for AP
LUNCHTIME (beginning of lunch)
Tuesday, January 24:
– AP Biology (Room 310)
– AP Environmental Science (Room 63)
Wednesday, January 25:
– AP Environmental Science (Room 63)
– AP Chemistry (Room 66)
Information Meetings for AP
LUNCHTIME (beginning of lunch)
Thursday, January 26:
– AP Chemistry (Room 66)
Friday, January 27:
– AP Biology (Room 310)
Honors Entrance Tests
Week of Jan 23rd (signup required)
Monday
Before
Honors Chemistry
School
Honors Physics
Tutorial
Tue
Wednesday
Honors Physiology
After
Honors IS 3/4
School
Honors Chemistry
Honors Physics
Honors IS 3/4
Thu
Friday
Honors
Physiology